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America's team invades Soldier Field
September 23, 2007
By GENE CHAMBERLAIN STAFF WRITER
LAKE FOREST -- A courageous defensive effort in a loss to the San Diego Chargers and spotty victory over the Kansas City Chiefs have left the Bears groping a bit in the dark.
When the lights go on at Soldier Field for tonight's game against the Dallas Cowboys, they expect to have a better idea where they stand.
"You want to see exactly where you are," coach Lovie Smith said. "The only way you can find that out is to play the best.
"We had a chance to find a little bit more about our ball club last week and we'll learn a lot more about our team come Sunday night."
Almost one year ago the Bears were eager challengers who decimated the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks on a Sunday night in Soldier Field, 37-6. Now they are the NFC champions trying to hold their own against a 2-0 Cowboys team that leads the NFL in scoring (82 points) and is tied for fifth in turnovers forced (6).
"We know how to win big in big games," linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer said. "This is another big game playing against Dallas, one of America's favorite teams, and the Bears, America's favorite football team.
"So it's going to be exciting. It will definitely be a playoff atmosphere like it was in San Diego, but now it's prime time television."
Playing against NFC passing efficiency leader Tony Romo (119.3 rating), wide receiver Terrell Owens (3 TD catches) and the one-two running punch of power back Marion Barber (154 yards) and Julius Jones (98 yards) gives the Bears' defense their first test against a diversified offense.
"It gives us a good measure of where we are on defense," safety Danieal Manning said. "I'm quite sure they're going to come at us with passing and test us deep. We haven't had (to face) a big passing threat yet. San Diego and Kansas City, those guys really didn't pass the ball that much.
"I'm quite sure the Cowboys are going to come at us passing."
If not, it would be a shock.
Dallas' two wins did come over a rebuilding Miami team with a new coaching staff and a Giants team which allowed 83 points the first two games. Still, their explosiveness is hard to deny.
"They're supposed to be the best team in the league offensively right now, so it's a big challenge for us to see where we're at on defense," Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said.
Romo's mobility makes him a threat even when pass routes break down. He already has 47 rushing yards.
"I think we've got to -- the front four -- get to the quarterback, to harass him because the linebackers will be busy and the cornerbacks will be busy with the receivers and the running backs and the tight ends," defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. "So we've got to find a way to get to Romo and rattle him without that much help."
More than anything else, the Bears need their own quarterback to avoid being rattled. Rex Grossman followed a strong first half last week with two second-half interceptions and a second-half passer rating of 16.16.
This time, Grossman has an extra weapon in rookie tight end Greg Olsen in his NFL debut following two weeks away with a knee sprain.
"He's a playmaker," Grossman said. "He's a mismatch for most safeties going out to cover him. If there is a situation where we can create that matchup, we're going to go ahead and do that. But it just gives you more options as a play caller to get the ball in the hands of playmakers."
Dallas' defense might be without cornerback Terence Newman (foot) and linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles) and already is without starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the year with a torn biceps.
They already rank 26th in defense at 386 yards a game, which could present Grossman his best chance to move the ball so far.
"I think other teams may have executed well and got big plays," Grossman said.
"I rarely look at a defense and say, 'They're going to give us an opportunity to throw for a lot of yards.' "
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/sports/570875,3_2_EL23_B5BEARS_S1.article
September 23, 2007
By GENE CHAMBERLAIN STAFF WRITER
LAKE FOREST -- A courageous defensive effort in a loss to the San Diego Chargers and spotty victory over the Kansas City Chiefs have left the Bears groping a bit in the dark.
When the lights go on at Soldier Field for tonight's game against the Dallas Cowboys, they expect to have a better idea where they stand.
"You want to see exactly where you are," coach Lovie Smith said. "The only way you can find that out is to play the best.
"We had a chance to find a little bit more about our ball club last week and we'll learn a lot more about our team come Sunday night."
Almost one year ago the Bears were eager challengers who decimated the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks on a Sunday night in Soldier Field, 37-6. Now they are the NFC champions trying to hold their own against a 2-0 Cowboys team that leads the NFL in scoring (82 points) and is tied for fifth in turnovers forced (6).
"We know how to win big in big games," linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer said. "This is another big game playing against Dallas, one of America's favorite teams, and the Bears, America's favorite football team.
"So it's going to be exciting. It will definitely be a playoff atmosphere like it was in San Diego, but now it's prime time television."
Playing against NFC passing efficiency leader Tony Romo (119.3 rating), wide receiver Terrell Owens (3 TD catches) and the one-two running punch of power back Marion Barber (154 yards) and Julius Jones (98 yards) gives the Bears' defense their first test against a diversified offense.
"It gives us a good measure of where we are on defense," safety Danieal Manning said. "I'm quite sure they're going to come at us with passing and test us deep. We haven't had (to face) a big passing threat yet. San Diego and Kansas City, those guys really didn't pass the ball that much.
"I'm quite sure the Cowboys are going to come at us passing."
If not, it would be a shock.
Dallas' two wins did come over a rebuilding Miami team with a new coaching staff and a Giants team which allowed 83 points the first two games. Still, their explosiveness is hard to deny.
"They're supposed to be the best team in the league offensively right now, so it's a big challenge for us to see where we're at on defense," Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said.
Romo's mobility makes him a threat even when pass routes break down. He already has 47 rushing yards.
"I think we've got to -- the front four -- get to the quarterback, to harass him because the linebackers will be busy and the cornerbacks will be busy with the receivers and the running backs and the tight ends," defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. "So we've got to find a way to get to Romo and rattle him without that much help."
More than anything else, the Bears need their own quarterback to avoid being rattled. Rex Grossman followed a strong first half last week with two second-half interceptions and a second-half passer rating of 16.16.
This time, Grossman has an extra weapon in rookie tight end Greg Olsen in his NFL debut following two weeks away with a knee sprain.
"He's a playmaker," Grossman said. "He's a mismatch for most safeties going out to cover him. If there is a situation where we can create that matchup, we're going to go ahead and do that. But it just gives you more options as a play caller to get the ball in the hands of playmakers."
Dallas' defense might be without cornerback Terence Newman (foot) and linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles) and already is without starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the year with a torn biceps.
They already rank 26th in defense at 386 yards a game, which could present Grossman his best chance to move the ball so far.
"I think other teams may have executed well and got big plays," Grossman said.
"I rarely look at a defense and say, 'They're going to give us an opportunity to throw for a lot of yards.' "
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/sports/570875,3_2_EL23_B5BEARS_S1.article